Nicholas Carstoiu - Lead Inspire Innovate Impact

Youth Leader·Athlete·Entrepreneur·Writer

Don't wait for a voice.
Become one.

Gala Voluntarului Social Romania 2026
National recognition

First Prize for Volunteering in Romania - Social Volunteer Gala 2026

At the Social Volunteer Gala Romania 2026 I received First Prize - Young Leader in Volunteering - and Second Prize - Most Dedicated Volunteer. An Erasmus+ project by TB - Think Big.

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Nicholas Carstoiu, member of the UNICEF Romania Children's Board, in front of a UNICEF for every child backdrop
Welcome

Nice to meet you.

I am a young Romanian at the intersection of performance sport, innovation and civic engagement - I build projects with real social impact, and I study at the Romanian-Finnish High School in Bucharest.

UNICEF Children's Board Volunteer of the Year 2026 - Young Leader in Volunteering Ambassador, United Citizens of Europe
Who I am

Five threads, one direction.

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity shouldn't be a privilege.

This conviction shapes everything I write and every project I build for my generation.

Selected work

Things I've built.

At a glance

The essentials.

Since July 2026 I am Ambassador for Romania of United Citizens of Europe.
I study at the Romanian-Finnish High School in Bucharest.
I have been a member of the UNICEF Romania Children's Board since 2023.
I have been a member of the Bucharest Children's Advisory Council since 2024.
I volunteer with the Romanian-Finnish High School team, Invictus Romania and Asociatia GO-AHEAD.
In 2026 I won First Prize - Young Leader in Volunteering - in Romania, and Second Prize, at the Social Volunteer Gala.
I have played competitive basketball for over 13 years; I am assistant coach at my high school's sports club.
I have taken part in international Erasmus+ exchanges and Model United Nations (BISAAC) sessions.
I am founder & CEO of the HANDIFY project - GEN-E 2026 National Finalist.
I created The Fake News Factory - double winner of Mème la vérité 2026 (Freedom House) and Grant My Passion 2026 Better World (McDonald's Romania) - and the I Belong project.
I write bilingual op-eds, published on EduPedu and other platforms.
My English certifications: C1 (Fordham, New York) and Cambridge (B2, B1, YLE).
FAQ

Questions, answered.

Who is Nicholas Carstoiu?

I'm a Romanian youth leader, student-athlete, writer and student entrepreneur. I combine performance sport, innovation and civic engagement, and I'm a member of the UNICEF Romania Children's Board.

What projects has Nicholas founded?

I founded HANDIFY, a smart glove and GEN-E 2026 National Finalist, and I created the media-literacy projects The Fake News Factory and I Belong, as well as the school programme Smart Online = Safe Offline.

What does Nicholas write about?

I write bilingual op-eds on youth leadership, education, sport and social impact, including youth mental health and equal access to opportunity.

How can Nicholas be contacted?

Through the contact section of this website, by email, or via my LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook profiles.

What are Nicholas's passions?

On and off the court, I live for basketball and for the speed and strategy of Formula 1. I love music, I'm fascinated by cybersecurity, and I have a soft spot for fine fragrances and action films. I'm happiest travelling abroad and by the sea.

How does Nicholas believe he can change the world?

Sport taught me that talent without opportunity stays on the bench - and that no team wins by leaving its weakest player behind. I believe the world changes the way a game is won: not through one hero, but through people who show up, do the unglamorous work, and pass the ball so someone else can score. My aim is to build systems - projects, platforms and a fairer playing field - where a child's chances depend on their effort, not their address. To me, change is a team sport, played one honest action at a time.

Let's talk

For partnerships, media and academic opportunities.